Work Permits in Canada: Open vs. Closed, LMIA & PGWP

Closed Work Permits vs. Open Work Permits

LMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment

Most closed work permits require the employer to first obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). An LMIA confirms that no Canadian citizen or PR could fill the position.

• Employer advertises the job for a minimum period per ESDC requirements
• Employer submits LMIA application and fee ($1,000 per position)
• Positive LMIA issued — worker can apply for a work permit referencing the LMIA number
• Processing: High-wage stream ~2 months; Global Talent Stream ~2 weeks

LMIA-Exempt Categories (IRPR s. 204–205)

• CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico Agreement): US and Mexican citizens in 63 professional categories can get a work permit at the port of entry — no LMIA needed
• Intra-Company Transfer (ICT): Executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers transferred within a multinational company
• International Experience Canada (IEC): Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op streams for youth from partner countries
• Significant Benefit (C11): Applicant provides significant economic, social or cultural benefit to Canada (e.g., self-employed artists)
• Reciprocal employment (C20): Canadian working abroad in a comparable job allows the foreign national's spouse to work in Canada

Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)

PGWP allows international graduates of eligible Canadian post-secondary programs to work in Canada for any employer for a period equal to the length of their study program (maximum 3 years for programs of 2+ years).

• Must apply within 180 days of receiving final marks/transcripts
• Cannot be renewed — only one PGWP per person per lifetime
• Program must be at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with PGWP eligibility
• Increasingly used to gather Canadian experience to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

If your work permit is expiring while your permanent residence application is pending, you may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit — allowing you to continue working while IRCC processes your PR application. Eligibility requires you to have already filed a complete PR application and meet other criteria depending on the stream.